It was a stimulating session last Wednesday 14th June 2023 when members of The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (Lagos Chapter) gathered at The City People Events Hall, Opposite Charly Boy Bus Stop at Gbagada in Lagos for a 1 Day Seminar on How To Stop Building Collapse In Lagos.
The event was hosted by City People Magazine, which has a special bias for Real Estate issues.
All the Exco Members were in attendance. They included: BCPG Lagos State Chapter Chairman, TPL Joseph Akande, BCPG Lagos State Chapter Vice-Chairman Eng. Dr. Isaac Akiije, BCPG Lagos State Chapter General Secretary, BLDR. Mubarak Gbaja-Biamila, BCPG Lagos State Chapter Treasurer, QS Mrs. Faith Ezeugoh, BCPG Lagos State Chapter, Financial Secretary, Surv. Abiodun Adegoke, BCPG Lagos State Chapter Publicity Sec,. Arc Bola Arilesere, BCPG Lagos State Chapter Research And Development Secretary. ESV Allen Oseghale, Ex-Officio (Immediate Past Chairman) QS Mrs. Adekemi Okusaga. National Exco Members of BCPG also attended. The National President TPL Sulaiman Yusuf was there. So also the National General Secretary, QS. Mrs. Adenike Ayanda.
The event started with the Welcome Address by the Editor-In-Chief of City People, Seye Kehinde, who also anchored the 5-hour interactive session. He introduced the BCPG National President, TPL. Sulaiman Yusuf and the Exco Members of the BCPG Lagos Chapter.
QS Soji Adeniji, the Co-ordinator of the BCPG Kosofe Cell gave the Opening Address and the Lagos State Chairman of BCPG, TPL Joseph Akande also spoke. After all the opening speeches, the panel of discussants began the business of the day. Architect Bola Arilesere the Publicity Secretary BCPG (Lagos State Chapter) kicked off the session with a brilliant presentation. Then, came Buldr. Mubarak Gbaja-Biamila, the Gen. Secretary BCPG (Lagos State Chapter) dazzled everyone at the event with his analysis. Engr. Victor Akpan (FNIMechE) followed as the 3rd Speaker. ESV Allen Oseghale (ANIVS) the Research & Development Secretary of BCPG (Lagos Chapter) took over and gave a scintillating analysis of the situation. Then came QS Mrs. Faith Ezeugoh, the Treasurer (Lagos State Chapter). Her presentation was beautiful.
A lot of professionals stood up to ask questions and to contribute to the discussion on How to prevent Building Collapse in Lagos. It was a very insightful Question & Answer Session. The Vote of thanks was done by the Secretary of BCPG Kosofe Cell, Engr. Abdulfatai Balogun. They all spoke on Tips for Stopping Building Collapse.
Speaker after Speaker spoke about how to stop the incident. The suggestions include the need for enabling laws to curb the menace, the need to increase capacity, the need for proper monitoring of building projects and the need to ensure planning approvals are given.
Building Collapse Prevention Seminar
All the Speakers agreed that the issue of Building Collapse is a hydra-headed monster. And to curb it, owners of building projects must use competent professionals, need close monitoring, the need for those with projects to use registered builders and engage professionals at all stages. They stressed the need for project owners to notify all the LASG building regulatory agencies to help monitor the different stages, the use of proper building materials, the observance of the various building setbacks.
The Quantity Survey experts at the event spoke glowingly about the need for builders to take seriously the role of QS.
QS Mrs. Faith Ezeugoh spoke about Counting the cost. She spoke about the work of a Quantity Surveyor in Construction. She charged the Media not to wait for buildings to collapse before reporting it, but to look out for examples of a possible building collapse structure and draw attention to it. She asked the Media to join in the advocacy. “There is the need to count the cost. “We must count the cost of Land, Logistics, Diesel to be used, and equipment, we must also engage professionals. Don’t compromise on standards.”
The National President TPL Sulaiman Yusuf described Building Collapse as a national embarrassment. He revealed why they set up BCPG to see how far they can go in getting people to change their ways, positively. “We need to ensure that all those who have building projects must have development permits and they must obey all building regulations. They must abide by the laws and regulations. They should consult Surveyors”.
Other speakers urged those constructing buildings to go for professionals and not quacks. They said part of the problem is that they go for Technicians, who are not even qualified technicians. They emphasised the need to count all the costs, which include the cost of engaging professionals, count the cost of statutory requirements of building laws. And that people should not cut corners. They all insisted that people should comply with statutory regulations and count the cost of maintaining the facilities in and around the building.
Engr. Akpan revealed the steps to take to build in Lagos. He said there is the need to create awareness on what to do or what is expected from people who want to build in Lagos. He urged those with building projects to do adequate budgeting, periodically. He spoke about the need for an appraisal of the Building records. “We need standard specifications, and we need to take into consideration our peculiarities and user requirements. “Standard is important. Using the right equipment is important. Regulatory bodies must begin to cross-check what was built and compare it with what was approved.”
The National General Secretary QS Mrs. Adenike Ayanda pointed out the problems of how Clients contribute to Building Collapse by procuring materials by themselves and expecting construction people to use them to build. She spoke about some clients prefer direct labour. She says the role of Clients is key because, most times they supply defective materials. “Standards of materials have dropped.”
“Clients interfere at the construction site. They pay too much emphasis on cost. They always want to bring down the cost.” She urged Clients to have a change of mind. “Build right. Take the correct steps. It may be a bit expensive but it is the proper thing to do”, she advised
All the Speakers urged Nigerians to go back to the basics. They say part of the problems that leads to building collapse is the breakdown of ethics and principles in society. They said it is a reflection of the degenerate state of our society. They all agreed that we must deal with Poverty.
“Our society is sick and there is a lot of Corruption in the society”, explained Engr. Victor Akpan. Engr. Abdulfatai Balogun, the Secretary of BCPC Kosofe Cell spoke about the issue of Ego being a big challenge. Let’s go back to the basics. Poverty is a great cankerworm.”
Some speakers pointed out that the 3 stages of the building have to be monitored from the design, to construction and occupancy usage, to the use of Correct Cement. They spoke about the Quality of Cement and the Quality of Reinforcement.
The collective contributions of all the professionals at the Seminar were an opener. And the general conclusion is that both the Government & the Guild must work hand-in-hand to stop building collapse in Lagos.
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